INCARCERATED Kevin Taylor hopes to be free of his shackles in the Philippines after five years and be back home in time for Christmas.

Kevin, 49, originally of Swindon, along with wife Charlene, has been detained in San Mateo since 2009 on charges of defrauding jobseekers with promises of employment in the UK.

After a horrendously long judicial process and numerous hearings, Kevin has now had the charges against him dropped or dismissed, and is awaiting an acquittal hearing.

He had hoped he would be free by September 30, but the final hearing is being delayed.

From his detention centre in Guitnang Bayan , Kevin wrote a letter to the Adver. He said: “On July 3 we had our penultimate hearing, where the fiscal and defence attorneys made their formal offers and closed the case.

“The judge then set the case for resolution, which I am told takes 90 days. If we are acquitted we have to be released the next day unless we have pending cases, so not long to go now.

“When we are released a whole new set of problems will arise as my father has no money left and the charity Prisoners Abroad will not fund me or help me until I get home.

“The British government do repatriate families in extreme cases, especially when the family has lost everything and have no other means to live. As we walk out that gate we will have nothing but the clothes on our back, so basically out of the frying pan and into the fire.

“Just maybe my family and I will be back home for Christmas. Our conditions at the jail haven’t got any better, as well as our health.”

Kevin is concerned for the future of his three girls, nine-year-old Charlene, Charlotte, six, and Caitlin, five, when he is released, as they may not be permitted to enter the UK.

Swindon Advertiser:

Worried parents Marie and Gerald

Marie, Kevin’s mother,who lives in Stratton, said: “He has been told there is a 90 per cent chance of getting out.

“His final hearing was due on September 30. That passed and changed to October 6, which was the Monday just gone, and that was his birthday, so we were hoping and praying it would be good news.

“We always knew there was a good chance it would not happen.

“We don’t know what will happen to his partner either. Her government won’t let her come here with the three children unless they can prove there is somewhere for them to live and a regular income.

“It all seems to be a horrible nightmare, and it goes on and on.”

Kevin’s dad, Gerald, said: “We are still waiting for that call from him with good news. We are still hanging by a thread. He is on a high at the moment because all the hearings have been dimissed, and he is clear of all the charges against him.

“As soon as he is acquitted he is chucked out on the streets, with no money, transport or clothes. He is now almost completely blind in one eye, and when he comes out he will need someone with him.”

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are aware of his ongoing detention and have been providing consular support since his arrest on 15 May 2009 and will continue to do so.”